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What to do if Your FOIA Request is Denied

If your request for records is denied, in whole or in part, AMS must tell you the reason(s) for the denial in writing and inform you of your right to appeal to a higher decision-making level in the agency. The appeal should be sent to:

Administrator, AMS

Rm. 3071-S, Ag Stop 0201

1400 Independence Ave., SW

Washington, DC 20250-0273

For quickest possible handling, you should mark both your letter and the envelope "FOIA Appeal". To appeal, simply ask the agency to review your FOIA request and its denial decision. The agency has 20 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays) to decide your appeal. Under certain circumstances, the agency make take an extension of 10 additional working days.

The administrative appeal process

If AMS denies your appeal, you have the right to appeal the denial in court. The denial letter should tell you that you can file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court where you live, where you have your principal place of business, where the documents are kept, or in the District of Columbia.